John Deere 100 42-in 17.5-HP Riding Lawn Mower

Transmission control broke at 3 years 70 hours

I kept the lawn mower maintained and used it about once a week in Pennsylvania. (70 hours total). Transmission control broke during a routine mow on flat ground.

Good mower

These are good mowers, they are not for heavy commercial use just mowing normal yards and for that they are fine. Mine has 160 hours mowing around 1 acre flat terrain every week in the cutting season, with the only thing that wore out is the steering knuckle, and the belts (normal wear.) The clutch IS grabby and the transmission notchy, seems like that is a normal characteristic of this model. Plenty of power and an efficient deck really cuts the grass without leaving uncut stuff behind, this mo...

Great mower!

In 1999, I won a D100 mower in a drawing. Before then, I had other brands that lasted three or four years. It is now July of 2014, and it is just now time to replace it. I mow around three acres of rough terrain and put a lot of hours on it. This mower has never had a part replaced on it of any kind other than the battery once, and it was in a fire when my shop burned several years ago that melted the hood and seat. Buy yours from a dealer, because you will get great service. I am on my way out ...

Just don't run like a deere!!!

I've had mine a few yrs now got an acre lot been in the shop more than I've used it,first it was the ignition switch went out then I was cutting the yard it just died back in the shop got to the shop guy cranked it right up said something needed ajusted.Just little things that killed my trust in john deere.

Good for smooth mowing

I have a small farm and I use the D100 for cutting around the house, while the rest of the farm uses an agricultural tractor. Unfortunately, the D100 only lasted about 2 years before the mower deck tore itself apart. My yard is pretty bumpy, and I think this mower is too lightly constructed for that kind of use. The 4 bolts that hold the blade to the mower deck vibrated and tore themselves loose from the metal. I welded it back together, but this only gave me about another year before it tore th...

best rider in its class

The D100 is the best entry-level riding mower on the market. The specs speak for themselves so I will comment on actual use. I have owned mine a year and have just over 25 hours on it. I have had no issues during this time and have not experienced the issues mentioned in other reviews. I can only speak to my experience but reliability has been flawless. It starts first time every time. I've had other mowers in the past that are hit or miss with starting and having one that always works is worth ...

Very good lawn tractor

I have had my D100 now for little over two years with over 180hrs on it, the only problem I had was the decompresion valve stuck but was replaced under warranty. I have not had any kind of problem since, starts and runs good, I have no problem with the clutch for starting off, cuts great, no issues would recommend this tractor

Good mower with one flaw

The anti-scalp wheels are rigidly affixed to the deck by a single, almost flat steel brackets that offer little lateral support. Turning the mower on undulating lawns allows the brackets to dig into the ground and bend. The brackets tolerated straightening three or four times after which they broke where welded to the deck. I suggest Deere could remedy this by designing the wheel to swivel or by using angle brackets on both sides of the wheel. A replacement deck shell is roughly a third the cost...

Mower squeals something aweful and I get whiplash driving!

I have never had so many issues with a john deere lawn tractor! After having the blade engaged for 5 minutes there is a terrible squeal coming from the mower deck! Greased every zerk fitting I could find...hasn't made a difference! Then there is the brake/clutch...or lack of clutch! There is absolutely no easing out the clutch for "extra smooth, predictable, and confident operation" as John Deere says! "Clutch engagement is modulated for extra smooth, predictable, and confident operation." I hav...

Problem for do-it-yourselfers

I have no complaints with my tractor's performance after 50 hours of operation. I am an older person and used to doing my own maintenance. The oil is fairly easy to change. But for an older person, greasing the tractor rates a zero. The grease fittings on the deck are well-hidden and almost impossible to find or reach when you do find them. I will be trading in this tractor after 1 year of use to get something a little more maintenance free.